New amendments in the Social Care Act, entered into force on 30th December 2017, bring significant step forward in protection of older persons against the abuse of contracts on support until death. Namely, from now on it is forbidden to all those providing social care, persons whom they employ and members of their families, to conclude contract on alienation or burdening of immovable assets of clients whom they provide social service to. This change was on several occasions proposed by Ombudswoman Lora Vidović warning on frequent abuse of contracts on support until death, due to the fact that in practice the elderly remain without care and property. Contract on support until death meant that the property belonged to the provider immediately upon the conclusion of the contract.

Ombudswoman Lora Vidović warned the Clinical Hospital Centre (KBC) Zagreb not to instigate enforcement procedures against citizens without giving them opportunities to pay invoices. She also emhasised it is neccessaryon to hand over invoices to patients personally after providing health service and, if not possible, to send them to their home addresses. Hence, before issuing an invoice it is necessary to check whether a patient has a valid additional health insurance policy while receiving health service.

Croatian Air Traffic Control has extended the upper age limit from 26 to 28 for vocational training and employment of air traffic controllers. This is a result of the intervention of the Ombudsman’s Office upon the citizen’s complaints on discrimination based on age in employment for this position.

Namely, due to the specific requirements of this job, like the length of working experience, obligatory health fitness of candidates and the length and costs of their vocational training, the need for candidates of certain age looks reasonable. However, the age 26 limit remains questionable.

With great grief we have received the news that Mr. Jurica Malčić, ex Ombudsman, has passed away on Monday in Zagreb in the age of 76.

As a man with extensive knowledge and experience serving the most responsible duties, he demonstrated humanity, leadership and professionalism.

At the General Assembly Meeting held in Brussels on 30 November 2017, ENNHRI members stressed, in a new statement, the role of NHRIs as human rights defenders to promote and protect a sustainable human rights environment in Europe.